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Minooka Park will soon be getting some upgrades in both appearance and amenity offerings after the Chilton County Commission approved a trio of resolutions proposed by Commissioner Steve Langston during its meeting on Oct. 21.

The resolutions include paving campsites in the second phase of the park, feathering the park’s entrance off of U.S. 31 and installing sewer for nine campsites in the first phase.

“It will really improve the aesthetics,” Langston said.

The campsite paving project is estimated to take about four workers and three weeks to complete.

Roger Wilson Jr. with Veteran Services spoke to the Commission about the organization’s desire to relocate an office to Chilton County.

“Our mission is to help veterans and their dependants to receive the governmental benefits they are entitled to,” Wilson said.

According to Wilson, he oversees 25 counties, and the Clanton office would house a state employee to assist local veterans in need.

Wilson said that office space, internet, a phone line and other office needs would be required.

Langston was quick to point out that Wilson and Veterans Services have an outstanding track record and he would be willing to support their efforts as a former veteran himself.

“The average person doesn’t know how hard it can be,” Langston said. “This is extremely personal to me.”

Langston and Commissioner Jimmie Hardee were appointed by their fellow members to work together on a possible solution to find a home for the organization.

The Commission also approved matching funds for the County Road 51 pavement preservation project, in which the county’s payment is estimated at $150,000.

Chilton County Sheriff John Shearon informed the Commission that two more coolers had to be purchased for the jail. The money will be taken from the jail maintenance fund.

Commissioner Joseph Parnell opened envelopes with bids from River Bank & Trust, BB&T and Regions to provide services to the county. Langston solicited six banks.

The bids were passed around for each commissioner to review, and a decision will be made at a future meeting.

Parnell was unanimously voted to remain commission chairman for another year.

Shortly after the chairman’s seat was voted on, Matt Mims nominated Allen Caton as vice chairman. Caton was then approved with a vote, in which he abstained from. Mims had been the vice chairman for the past year.

In other news from the meeting:

• The Commission approved for the road department to make a 2009 Ford F-150 surplus and sell on govdeals.com.
• A resolution was approved to purchase a pair of Dodge Ram 1500 trucks for $28,800 apiece. The money for one truck is in the approved budget for the road department and the money for the other truck is in the litter agent’s approved budget.
• Nick Bolton with the county EMA was approved to gain additional responsibilities as part of his job and receive a 3% raise as a result.
• EMA Director Derrick Wright was approved for a 3% raise.
• Brandon Warren and Hunter Hurst were approved as full-time deputies with the Sheriff’s Office effective Nov. 2.
• Jake Blackmon was approved as full-time courthouse security with the Sheriff’s Office effective Nov. 2.
• Stella Fulmer was approved as a part-time driver with Chilton County Transit effective Oct. 23.
• Permission was granted for Chilton County Transit to do an emergency hire to replace Charlotte Smith as a full-time driver.
• Nominations were opened to fill a vacant spot on the three-person Hospital Property Board. The Board nominated William Newton and the Commission nominated Mims. The spot will be filled at a future meeting.
• A resolution was approved to pay two excess bids for Tommy Cox in the amount of $1,839.37 and $500.79.
• The nominations for the Chilton/Clanton Public Library Board were closed. Kim Moore was appointed as the lone nominee.
• Nominations for the Cawaco Board were opened, and Whitney Barlow was nominated by the Board. The nominations will remain open for two more meetings.
• The Commission approved opening a checking account with Marion Bank with signatories for jail maintenance.
• The Commission approved the minutes from the Oct. 8 meeting after clearing up a clerical error.
• The Commission approved to pay its bills.